Effects of question type, orientation, and sequencing in the employment screening interview¹

The authors wish to acknowledge Mr. Joe Vorsas, Director, Business Placement Service, University of Texas at Austin, for his assistance in collecting data for this study.

Abstract

Actual employment screening interviews at a university placement center were audio/video‐taped and analyzed to determine the relationships between types of interviewers’ questions (primary/secondary, open/closed), the sequencing of these questions, applicants’ question‐response durations, and actual interview outcomes (offering/not offering applicants second interviews). Results suggest applicants’ responses to open‐ended and secondary questions are longer in duration than responses to closed‐ended and primary questions. In addition, findings show that the kinds of questions recruiters asked applicants did not differ significantly between interviews where second interview offers were eventually made as compared to those where no offers were forthcoming. However, results did indicate that there are significant differences in the kinds of questions interviewers ask during different segments or phases of screening interviews.

Notes

The authors wish to acknowledge Mr. Joe Vorsas, Director, Business Placement Service, University of Texas at Austin, for his assistance in collecting data for this study.